Dianthus plant named ‘DDTCC20-0’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of  Dianthus  plant named ‘DDTCC20-0’ is disclosed, characterized by a unique flower color pattern of bright pink with a deep burgundy hallow on the upper petal and distinct light pink margin on the petals. Plants bloom for an extended period into the Summer and are hardy to USDA Zone 5. The new variety is a  Dianthus , typically produced as a garden or container plant.

Latin name of the genus and species: Dianthus hybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘DDTCC20-0’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar is a product of a planned breeding program. The newvariety originated as the result of the crossing of the female parent,an unpatented, proprietary Dianthus referred to as ‘13-307-001’ and thepollen parent, a different unpatented proprietary Dianthus referred toas ‘13-130-002’. The crossing was made during July 2017 at a commercialgreenhouse in Santa Paula, Calif. ‘DDTCC20-0’ was discovered andselected at a commercial greenhouse in Santa Paula, Calif., in Decemberof 2018.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘DDTCC20-0’ was first performedin Santa Paula, Calif. at a research greenhouse by vegetative terminalcuttings in January of 2019. ‘DDTCC20-0’ has since produced severalgenerations and has shown that the unique features of this cultivar arestable and reproduced true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘DDTCC20-0’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, day length, and lightintensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘DDTCC20-0’. These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘DDTCC20-0’ as a new and distinct Dianthuscultivar:

-   1. Unique flower color pattern of bright pink with a deep burgundy    halo on the upper petal and distinct light pink margin on the    petals.-   2. Early flowering.-   3. Suitability for both garden and container uses.-   4. Extended bloom time into Summer and Fall months.-   5. Hardy to USDA Zone 5.

PARENTAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘DDTCC20-0’ are comparable to the seed parentin most horticultural characteristics; however, the new variety‘DDTCC20-0’ differs in the following:

-   1. Plants of the new variety are more compact than plants of the    seed parent.-   2. Plants of the new variety have a halo on the petal not found on    the parent variety.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘DDTCC20-0’ are comparable to the pollenparent in most horticultural characteristics; however, the new variety‘DDTCC20-0’ differs in the following:

-   1. The new variety produces multi-whorled flowers, the pollen parent    produces single flowers.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘DDTCC20-0’ are comparable to the commercialDianthus variety ‘DDTHP02-0’, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 28,102. The twoDianthus varieties are similar in most horticultural characteristics;however, the new variety ‘DDTCC20-0’ differs in the following:

-   1. The new variety produces multi colored flowers while this    comparator has solid pink flowers.-   2. Foliage of the new variety is longer and narrower than foliage of    this comparator.-   3. Plants of the new variety are on average 2.5 cm taller than    plants of this comparator.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘DDTCC20-0’ are comparable to the commercialDianthus variety ‘DCACR08-0’, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 30,026. The twoDianthus varieties are similar in most horticultural characteristics;however, the new variety ‘DDTCC20-0’ differs in the following:

-   1. The new variety produces multi colored flowers while this    comparator has solid dark pink flowers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color typicalplants of ‘DDTCC20-0’ in a greenhouse in Santa Paula, Calif. This plantare approximately 12 weeks old, grown in 6-inch pots.

FIG. 2 illustrates a close-up view of the flowers.

The photographs were taken using conventional techniques and althoughcolors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectanceit is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Colour Chart, 2007, except where general terms of ordinarydictionary significance are used. The following observations andmeasurements describe ‘DDTCC20-0’ plants in a commercial greenhouse inSanta Paula, Calif. Temperatures ranged from 10° C. to 29° C. night andday. No artificial light, photoperiodic treatments or chemicaltreatments were given to the plants. Natural light conditions wereapproximately 2500 to 4000 fc of light. Measurements and numericalvalues represent averages of typical plant types.

-   Botanical classification: Dianthus hybrid ‘DDTCC20-0’.

PROPAGATION

-   Time to initiate roots: About 10 days at approximately 24° C.-   Time to produce a rooted cutting: About 18 days at 24° C.-   Root description: Fibrous roots, approximately 1 to 3 mm in    diameter, colored near Orange-White 159C.

PLANT

-   Age of plant described: Approximately 20 weeks from rooted cutting.-   Pot size: 6 inches.-   Plant type: Compact upright flowering perennial.-   Plant habit: Upright growing stems emerge basally.-   Plant spread: Approximately 25 cm.-   Height: Approximately 23 cm to top of flowering plane. Approximately    18 cm to top of foliar plane.-   Length plant stem: Average range 6 to 9 cm.-   Diameter of plant stem: Approximately 3 mm.-   Quantity stems: Approximately 25.-   Stem:    -   -   Color.—Near RHS Green 138B.        -   Texture.—Smooth.-   Internode length: 2.2 to 3.2 cm.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaf:    -   -   Arrangement.—Opposite (in pairs).        -   Quantity.—Approximately 8 to 12 fully expanded per stem.        -   Average length.—6.8 cm.        -   Average width.—4 mm.        -   Shape of blade.—Linear.        -   Apex.—Acute.        -   Base.—Clasping.        -   Attachment.—Sessile.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Texture of top surface.—Smooth.        -   Texture of bottom surface.—Smooth.        -   Pubescence.—None.        -   Color.—Young foliage upper side: Near RHS Green 138B. Young            foliage under side: Near RHS Green 138B. Mature foliage            upper side: Near RHS Green 138A. Mature foliage under side:            Near RHS Green 138A.        -   Venation.—Type: Linear. Venation color upper side:            Indistinguishable from foliage. Venation color under side:            Indistinguishable from foliage.

FLOWER

-   Natural flowering season: Continuous flowering from Spring until    Fall.-   Inflorescence type and habit: Umbel of 2 to 4 flowers.-   Flower longevity on plant: 2-3 weeks.-   Quantity of flowers: Approximately 25 to 35 flowers and buds on a    12-week old plant.-   Flowers persistent or self-cleaning: Persistent.-   Fragrance: Very mild sweet, clove-like scent.-   Inflorescence (umbel) size:    -   -   Diameter.—Approximately 6.0 cm.        -   Height.—Approximately 5.0 cm.-   Individual flower size:    -   -   Diameter.—Approximately 3.2 cm.        -   Length.—Approximately 2.8 cm.-   Petals:    -   -   Petal arrangement.—Multiple whorl.        -   Shape.—Spatulate.        -   Base.—Attenuate.        -   Margin.—Serrated.        -   Apex.—Very shallowly crenate.        -   Length.—1.8 cm.        -   Width.—1.3 cm.        -   Petal quantity.—Average range 18 to 22.        -   Texture.—Smooth all surfaces.        -   Aspect.—Nearly flat.-   Color:    -   -   When opening.—Upper surface: Lower section near Red-Purple            N74B. Upper section N74C with 2 distinct, ragged-edged halos            colored near Red-Purple 59A. Well defined margin Red-Purple            65D. Base Yellow 2D. Lower surface: Near RHS Red-Purple            N74C, flushed Red-Purple 59C. Base Yellow 2C.        -   Fully opened.—Upper surface: Lower section near Red-Purple            N74A. Upper section N74C with 2 distinct, ragged-edged halos            colored near Red-Purple 59A. Well defined margin Red-Purple            65D. Base Yellow 2D. Lower surface: Near RHS Red-Purple            N74C, flushed Red-Purple 59C. Base Yellow 2C.-   Tube:    -   -   General description.—Tube consists of the elongated, unfused            base of the petals. Tube shape caused by a fused calyx.        -   Length.—1.6 cm.        -   Width.—0.6 cm.        -   Texture.—Smooth.-   Color:    -   -   Fully opened.—Inner surface: Near RHS Green N138D. Outer            surface: Near RHS Green N138D.-   Bud:    -   -   Shape.—Elongated cylinder.        -   Length.—Average 1.7 cm.        -   Diameter.—Average 0.7 cm.        -   Color.—Appearing petals colored near Red-Purple 69D.-   Sepals:    -   -   Quantity.—5.        -   Arrangement.—Fused tube.        -   Shape.—Cylindric.        -   Length.—1.5 cm.        -   Width.—0.3 cm.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Apex.—Acute.        -   Texture.—Smooth upper and lower surfaces.        -   Color.—Near RHS Green N138D.-   Bracteoles:    -   -   Shape.—Narrow Deltoid.        -   Quantity per flower.—5-7.        -   Length.—Approximately 5 mm.        -   Width.—Approximately 3 mm.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Texture.—Smooth.        -   Color.—Near RHS Green N138D.-   Peduncle:    -   -   Length.—Average 3.3 cm.        -   Diameter.—2.0 mm.        -   Color.—Near RHS Green 138B.        -   Orientation.—Upright.        -   Strength.—Moderate.        -   Texture.—Smooth.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

-   Stamens:    -   -   Number.—6.        -   Filament.—Length: 0.8 cm. Color: RHS White N155C.        -   Anthers.—Shape: Oblong. Length: 2 mm. Color: RHS            Green-Yellow 1D. Pollen: Not observed.-   Pistil:    -   -   Number.—1.        -   Length.—Approximately 2.7 cm.        -   Style.—Number: 2. Length: Approximately 1.7 cm. Color: Near            RHS White N155D.        -   Stigma.—Length: about 0.5 mm. Shape: Linear, arching. Color:            Near RHS White 155A.        -   Ovary.—Shape: Oblong. Diameter: 0.4 cm. Length: 0.7 cm.            Color: Near RHS Yellow-Green N144D.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Seeds and fruits: Not observed to date.-   Disease/pest resistance: Neither resistance nor susceptibility to    the normal diseases and pests of Dianthus has been observed. Typical    diseases of Dianthus include: Alternaria dianthicola, Botrytis    cinerea, Erwinia chrysanthemi, Pseudomonas caryophylli, Fusarium    graminearum, Fusarium avenaceum, Fusarium culmorum and Rhizoctonia    solani, Typical pests include; various species of Thysanopthera,    various Aphis species, and various species of Tetranychus.-   Temperature tolerance: USDA zones 5 through 10 tolerant.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Dianthus plantnamed ‘DDTCC20-0’ as herein illustrated and described.